Today’s round-up from the Sharks morning skate one day before their flight to St. Louis for Thursday night’s series-opener against the Blues.

*****Ask Todd McLellan about what a healthy Marty Havlat means to his team and the Sharks coach doesn’t take long to make reference to San Jose’s record with and without the player who missed 39 games after tendon surgery and the first four of the season as well, recovering from shoulder repair work.

That record? A mediocre 18-18-7 without Havlat, an impressive 25-11-3 with him.

Advertisement

“Our record with him speaks volumes versus our record without him,” McLellan said of the player the Sharks acquired last summer for Dany Heatley. “He’s an important part of our team.”

The Sharks benefit not only from Havlat himself, but also from the fact his presence allows McLellan to strengthen his third and fourth lines as well by keeping other players in more appropriate slots.

Havlat missed the playoffs the past two seasons in Minnesota, but in his last two post-season appearances – 2006 with Ottawa and 2009 with Chicago – he produced 28 points in 26 games. Those numbers played a big part in GM Doug Wilson’s decision to bring Havlat to a San Jose team still looking for its first trip to the Stanley Cup finals.

“Every time I get into the playoffs, I’m trying to enjoy it,” Havlat said Tuesday. “I’m always happy to have a chance to battle in the playoffs for the cup. It’s been a couple years since I played the last playoff so I’m excited.”

It’s been noted before that Havlat, like many players, has a pattern of returning from his injuries with two or three strong games, then falling back some as the adrenaline from being back disappears. Overall, though, he had five goals and seven assists in his 14 contests since coming back from the last injury that sidelined him for 39 games.

Were 14 games enough to fine-tune his play?

“It’s better than just one or two. I’m happy that I could get those games under my belt and it’s great that I know what I’m doing.”

******Blues goalie Brian Elliott left practice in St. Louis early today with coach Ken Hitchcock explaining that his netminder has been dealing with an upper-body injury the past week and is day-to-day.

Advertisement

So does that simplify McLellan’s preparation, knowing that maybe gives Jaroslav Halak the edge as St. Louis’s opening game choice?

Not really.

“We’ll prepare for both,” the Sharks coach said. “We all know what the injury thing is like this time of the year with coaching staffs and teams.”

McLellan noted that the Blues don’t appear to play differently in front of one goalie or the other, but Elliott and Halak “are a little bit different size-wise and the ability to play the puck and that kind of stuff,” comparing them to the New York Jets quarterback situation.

It’s “a little bit like the Sanchez-Tebow situation in New York. Two very good quarterbacks that both want to play.”

Then he issued an indirect challenge of sorts to Hitchcock:

“I guess the trick there is figuring out who the team is more comfortable playng in front of and playing that guy. Sometimes that’s a hard thing for a coach to do,” McLellan said.
“I know in our group we feel more comfortable in front of one than the other – not that the other isn’t capable, but there is a security blanket there. Which one is it there?”

******Speaking of Hitchcock, it turns out McLellan played for him at the 1987 Western Hockey League All-Star Game. Hitchcock was coaching the Kamloops Blazers at the time while McLellan was a forward on the Saskatoon Blades.

******Finally, nothing new on the Ryane Clowe injury front. He skipped another practice as a “maintenance day,” but Mclellan said he still expects him to be in the lineup on Thursday night.

David Pollak

David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.

These are matchups that I think the sharks need to win if they want to win:
-Jumbo vs Backes. (One on one battles between these two is going to be vitale
-Couture vs David Perron (Both, young, potent and scoring ability. Logan has to be better than David)
-Clowe vs Patrick Berglund(Stewart) (Big Guys, I think, if Clowe is ready to go, he should be able to win this one)
Our D has to be better than theirs ofcourse and chip in offensively.
One thing is, I hope the sharks dont hesitate to sub out Doug Murray if need be.

benny2

DP….what`s the lines in practice like today Defence and Forwards thanks

Vizzini: HE DIDN’T FALL? INCONCEIVABLE!
Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

—

Given the quality of the banter on here from the most prolific sources, this is the blog of the San Jose Snarks.

And my fearless prediction (my predictions have had about a 22% accuracy rate this year, so take them for what they’re worth):

Blues in 5

I don’t like it, but I watched the games this year, and the Blues didn’t just win, they controlled the vast majority of play in every game. And if St. Louis comes out and wins the first two at home, I see the Sharks making a token effort for pride and winning one, and then the series is over.

It will come down to one thing: Sharks’ coaching. They have to find a way to get through the neutral zone with the puck and with speed. They have to have a PK that — here’s a novel concept — *kills penalties*. If they keep turning the puck over and letting in power play goals… well, we saw that movie four times this year, and I didn’t like the ending.

I want the Sharks to win, and I think they’ll do better against anyone else in the second round — especially if LA can knock off the Canucks — if they make it that far. But barring a major change in both teams, I can’t see the Sharks getting four wins before the Blues do.

So I guess you can call me hopeful, but not confident. And I’ll spend the games rooting against my own pessimism.

— Geri(h)atric, member in good standing SBoTTM, SCWaPJV & PGiNaGNaR

smkndowntown

A healthy Ryane Clowe makes such a huge difference.
I pray that he is 100% on game night

MLBSF starts getting discredited, and Iafrate and smkn show up… niether have posted in a bit.

Classic.

cutch and CforPavs should be right behind them on the puppet train.

Stevo

Don’t think Sharks can control the NZ. Dump and chase but with a strong forecheck will be key IMO.

Must control the crease on both ends. Clean up Nemo’s rebounds and put Halak’s loose change in the net.

Must stay out of the box. Period.

Keep the puck in the OZ. Chew up the clock and score when opportunity arises.

Stevo

Buddy – you forgot DWillyMustGo

Buddy Elf

LOL… DWillyMustGo wasn’t worth mentioning… talk about meltdowns.

bullship

This will be a close series- If Clowe can’t go, that will hurt BUT the Sharks are a more talented team- if the bring the ‘A” game – they will win.

And actually the more I have looked at it- the more confident I get. The Blues are such a system team- and play a very frustrating style – and it gets them a lot of regular season wins/points. But give a solid -veteran hockey club time to prepare for them – and to gear up mentally for the grind- I think the Sharks win.

My only fear is the Sharks get a lead in a game/series and then ‘coast’ and get beat.

I am thinking the Sharks in 6 or 7…but it will be close.

As for all the other pundits…hey it is a free country- but opinions are just opinions- NO ONE out there truly knows how it will turn out.

The SC Playoffs are by far the hardest playoffs to predict in sports- and NONE of the them are easy.

Just waiting on thursday…

Buddy Elf

Sedin is out for Game 1….sorry Martin Brody… want a tissue?

Iafrate

elfie-

i just posted the day before yesterday.

it is not my goal to credit or discredit mlbsf. that obsession clearly belongs to you. I hope it is making you feel better bc you sure spend a lot of your time doing it. i notice you are keeping up with the grammar checks around here still- nice work!

SjSharksfan95118

Never have I been a big believer in computerized analysis but EA Sports has the Sharks going six games…with the Sharks losing. Interesting prediction. “Jaroslav Halak (1.60 GAA, two shutouts)” in first round against the Sharks.

Sorry, I don’t see that happening. I say Sharks in a hard fought 7 game series…..

1 game, 1 period, 1 shift at a time……

GO SHARKS!!!

Buddy Elf

The day before yesterday? Like I said, you haven’t posted, and then MLBSF is discredited, and you’re jumping right in to his defense.

You Couture Love Club members sure respond quickly! I can see the text now: “Uh oh, are crush Logan is beeng attacked again, show youre luv for logan, stand up to theyre attacks!”

SjSharksfan: EA has had an excellent track record unlike the source used by IacutchWillyMustCPavsBSF

Clemenza

MLBSF says:

“Who can dislike Logan. He is such a cool kid.”

OK that upped the creepiness factor in here about 1000%…

Doug H

MLB.

from Pierre Lebrun on ESPN.

Well, I picked the Sharks to win the Cup in September (as always), so it seems somewhat cowardly for me to change my mind eight months later. They certainly have not given me much reason for most of this season to believe they’d take the next step from back-to-back conference finals to Stanley Cup finals berth. Still, this is a playoff-savvy team without the weight of expectation for once. Most of the numbers, and regular-season evidence, point to a Blues series win, but the Sharks have a shot against their younger, less-experienced opponents. This is my first-round upset special. Sharks in 7.

awaiting your meltdown.

SjSharksfan95118

Buddy Elf, EA has a good track record but it is not perfect. If they were, why play the game?? Stranger things have happened… a bad puck bounce one way or another and you never know….

1 Game, 1 Period, 1 shift at a time…..

GO SHARKS!!!

Iafrate

not sure how referring to ESPN is supporting MLBSF.

I think your delusional world that you created to justify your importance and control over this board is starting to crumble.

and it was you that disappeared when the sharks were losing- yet another hypocritical statement. I dont care if the reason was because DP banned you for smut language.

i dont agree with MLBSF. I am not even a Logan Couture fan. But if lumping me in helps you better relate on this board- than by all means.

Knower Of Everything

Sharks in 5

Tom (fm Quinzee)

Geri(h)atric – I’m not sure what all the alphabet soup at the end of your posts mean, but so what? I’m writing this to tell you I’ve hired an attorney and I’m suing you for plagiarism. You have perfectly elucidated my views of this series, and you could only have done that by stealing them.

Anyhow, joking aside (I can’t afford an attorney), I agree totally about the turnovers – and a lot, but not totally, about the coaching. The coaches can come up w/ a great plan, but if the Sharks don’t bring some very intense physicality, every game, then they’re toast.

Buddy Elf

So, I did it once (and it was out of my control as you even admitted yourself), and you’ve done it every time the Sharks won this year? Good call on that one, son.

Starting to crumble? I need to say less because the Sharks play is proving it for me. They win (games which you and MLBSF said they’d lose), and donkeys (such as yourself) disappear.

MLBSF

Knower Of Everything says:
April 11th, 2012 at 12:27 pm

Sharks in 5
——–

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!

Okay Drew Remenda
———-

Also Doug,

Pierre is sticking with the Sharks because they were his pick in the Fall.

Pierre <——- consistency

I am not picking the Sharks because I predicted they would not win the Cup in the Fall.

MLBSF <—— consistency

Doug H

somehow the 8 seed LA has a 53% chance of beating vancouver, but the 7 seed SJ only has a 10% chance of beating the 2 seed.

genius.

g-bum-man

“Blind CLANGING monkeys find their own nuts, and throw poo all over the place!”

Beer league–the is the line of the day! Hee Haw! made me laugh like a country boy!

My brilliant prediction?

Sharks in 5. They kick ass right out of the gate, and never let up on the Blues. They pound the Blues into the ice, and surprise the Hockey “establishment” completely. MLBSF must be taken to the hospital as a result of the shock, which causes savage rectal hemorrhaging. He consequently must be sedated for a month and a half while he convalesces. Unable to post blogs, MLBSF also misses the greatest run ever by the San Jose Sharks, as they cruise through their remaining playoff games and finally hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Ironically–my prediction is just as likely to happen as anyone elses. Go Sharks!

MLBSF

Clemenza says:
April 11th, 2012 at 12:15 pm

MLBSF says:

“Who can dislike Logan. He is such a cool kid.”

OK that upped the creepiness factor in here about 1000%…
——

How is it creepy to say he is a cool kid.

If you knew anything about him you would know there is nobody more humble than him.

He cares about world events/tragedies and always mentions how bad he feels on Twitter.

He loves sports. He is a huge baseball fan and loves the Jays.

He is cool. Sorry that you’re not Clemenza, which is why you can’t relate.

Buddy Elf

You made other predictions, like the Sharks not even making the playoffs, them losing games down the stretch that they won, etc.

MLBSF <—— consistent failure.

Doug H

MLB—consistent?

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Doug H

the ottawa senators wont win the cup.

Doug H-Nostradamus

Buddy Elf

Just for fun:

In their last 9 Western Conference games:

Marleau: 13 points

Pavs(5)+Couture(3)+Thornton(7): 15 points

Stevo

#104 Geri(h)atric, – 🙂

We could use Andre The Giant though…

bullship

132…

let’s face it Marleau is a whipping boy for frustrated Sharks fans because of some of his mannerisms- he doesn’t show much emotion- is kind of reserved and quiet, his style of play- he plays a finesse/atheltic style(he is not realyl a grinder), and simply he has been pretty much the Sharks best player since he has been on the team and the team has suffered some dissapointing losses in series- and not yet won the Cup.

BUT Marleau is still one of the Elite players in the League, Is still a very very effective player, and is probably still the best player on the Sharks…

So all the pissing about his game is wasted energy – and just show how stupid some fans are.

If the Sharks win a Cup with Marleau and Throton- they will go down as All-Time great Sharks…if not…still great players- but not loved…

MLBSF

You must have me confused with someone else who said the Sharks would not make the playoffs. Wasn’t me.

I only laughed at the notion the Sharks were going to be a playoff team due to the embarrassing efforts they were bringing to the ice night after night after night.

But I’m not surprised the publicity department would spin what I said in their favor.

Clemenza

MLBSF says:
“If you knew anything about him you would know there is nobody more humble than him.

He cares about world events/tragedies and always mentions how bad he feels on Twitter.

He loves sports. He is a huge baseball fan and loves the Jays.

He is cool.”

Correction: 2000%

Iafrate

elfie-

careful- it might be time for another timeout from DP. I can see you starting to go down that path.

i will check and get back to you.

bullship-

thanks for stating the obvious about JT and PM. If you were here from the start of the season….oh wait no….the start of the 2006 season your conclusion would be current news.

bullship

137…

ok…Obvious..but I have still been seeing the same crap posted about JT and PM..like evey tread…

As well as the same over reaction to every Sharks loss…

As well as all the nay sayers posting about the doom to come…

I am looking forward to playoff Hockey- an the Sharks have the same chance as all the other teams in the Playoffs…Win 16 games and you win the Cup…

It doesn’t really matter if the play the Blues this round or next- they still will have to beat 3 quality teams to get to the finals- and they have as good a shot as any team in the west IMO….Who is really the Fav in the West? ..It looks to me like with a little luck (and it always takes some) any of the 8 could get there…I am looking forward to the battles to come…

one. Your personal site presents you much more credit and helps make you much more expert. The amount of affiliate entrepreneurs is rising all the time and only those who have their personal places on the internet will stand out from the other people. There should be a big difference amongst critical entrepreneurs and opportunists that will disappear sooner or later.

I agree with the reviewer above that this fragrance is not too light and not too heavy. It is a beautiful floral scent with a light touch of citrus. To me it smells youthful yet refined. It’s my current favorite for daily wear; it lasts throughout the day without being overpowering in the morning.